WEDNESDAY: Grand Opening of the Gordons Pond Trail Near Lewes
A boardwalk portion of the Gordons Pond Trail under construction. The trail will be officially opened by Governor Markell and DNREC Secretary O’Mara on Wednesday at 10AM.
Like the Castle Trail near Delaware City and the Pomeroy Trail in Newark, Delaware is about to finally open another long-awaited trail. This time, it’s the Gordons Pond Trail near Lewes!
The new trail, part of Governor Markell’s First State Trails and Pathways Plan, will extend from the observation platform at Gordons Pond to the Walking Dune Trail near Herring Point in Cape Henlopen State Park and will provide outdoor recreational trail opportunities and breathtaking views of the pond, tidal marsh, ocean and dunes.
Join Governor Markell and DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara next Wednesday (June 18) at 10AM in Cape Henlopen State Park near Lewes for the Grand Opening Ceremony for the trail.
If you are going to the grand opening, be sure to either bike to the ceremony (if you live nearby) or bring your bike so you can join other cyclists on an informal ride on the trail after the governor opens the trail!
DIRECTIONS TO CAPE HENLOPEN STATE PARK, THEN HERRING POINT:
From points North of Lewes:
-Travel Delaware Rt. 1 South to Lewes beach area. Follow signs to Lewes Ferry/Cape Henlopen State Park.
– Turn left onto U.S. 9 E. (The WAWA at this traffic light is on your right.)
– Turn left to stay on U.S. 9 E.
– Follow 9 E (turning right on 9E/ Cape Henlopen Dr.); pass the ferry terminal.
– Turn right onto Engineer Rd. (This is the main entrance to Cape Henlopen State Park).
– Stop at the entrance booth and notify attendant that you are attending the Gordons Pond Trail Opening. (There is no park entry fee charge for event guests).
– After passing the entrance booth, follow the road to the left toward Dune Rd.
– At the intersection, turn right onto Dune Rd.; continue 1.4 miles to Herring Point. (Parking lot is on the right).
From points South of Lewes:
-Travel Delaware Rt. 1 North. Follow signs to Lewes Ferry/Cape Henlopen State Park.
– Turn right onto U.S. 9 E. (The WAWA at this traffic light is on your left).
– Follow 9 E (turning right on 9E/ Cape Henlopen Dr.), pass the ferry terminal.
– Turn right onto Engineer Rd. This is the main entrance to Cape Henlopen State Park.
– Stop at entrance booth and notify attendant that you are attending the Gordons Pond Trail Opening. (There is no park entry fee for event guests).
– After passing the entrance booth, follow the road to the left toward Dune Rd.
– At the intersection, turn right onto Dune Rd.; continue 1.4 miles to Herring Point. (Parking lot is on the right.)
Directional signs will be posted in Cape Henlopen State Park along the route, and parking attendants will be onsite to direct you where to park.
Questions may be directed to dnrecevents@state.de.us or 302-739-9902.
4 Responses
Is this new trail suitable for roller-bladers?
Great question, Susan. Unfortunately, I think the answer is “no”. The trail is not paved. It’s probably not very good for skinny tire road bikes, either. (Hybrid and mountain bikes, though, are fine.)
When it comes trail surfaces, DNREC and DelDOT take different approaches. DNREC will often (though not always) come down in favor of “permeable” surfaces that asborb water (such as crushed limestone). This is considered by some the more “environmentally friendly” trail surface. But the negative is that it restricts use. Roller bladers can’t use it. Skinny tire road bikes can’t really use it. It’s not really great for wheelchairs either. And snow can’t be shoveled.
DelDOT, on the other hand, prioritizes transportation in everything it does – including trails – and so will almost always pave a trail. Also, they sometimes don’t even call it a trail! See here for more on the different approaches of DNREC and DelDOT to “trails”:
http://www.bikede.org/2011/11/04/is-it-an-off-alignment-multi-use-path-or-is-it-a-trail/
I want to bike the trail-how long is it?
Are you saying the trail is crushed limestone?